1964 · Pontiac · United States
1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans: an intermediate, and the GTO's debut
The Tempest becomes a 115-inch intermediate with a 326 V8, and the LeMans carries the new GTO option.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek describes 1964 as the year the Tempest becomes a 115-inch intermediate with a 326 V8, and the LeMans carries the new GTO option. This record's own overview states that the Tempest LeMans was offered as a sport coupe, a hardtop, and a convertible, a compiled table listing them separately from the LeMans GTO: 31,317 sport coupes, 31,310 hardtops, and 11,779 convertibles, 74,406 in all, the sport coupe and hardtop figures within 7 cars of each other.1
This record's own overview states that the fact sheet lists two 326 V8s for the Tempest line, a 250 hp two-barrel and a 280 hp four-barrel at 10.5:1 compression, both SAE gross, and that the 389 was reserved for the GTO option, with its figures kept on the GTO page rather than folded into this record, since the two subjects are documented separately. This record's own production rows document a separately scoped GTO row at 32,450, alongside the 74,406 non-GTO LeMans total, its own production notes stating that the three LeMans body rows partition that 74,406 figure and that no 326 or 326 HO counts were found.2
This record's own engines section documents a 215-cubic-inch six-cylinder standard at 140 hp and 209 lb-ft of torque, both SAE gross, alongside the two V8 ratings already noted. This record's own transmissions section documents a standard three-speed manual, an optional four-speed wide-ratio manual, a close-ratio version with Hurst linkage available only on GTO-optioned cars, and an optional two-speed automatic, with this record's own options section pricing the GTO option itself at $295 and noting that GTO production and equipment are covered in the GTO subject rather than here.2
This record's own prices section documents the LeMans sport coupe at $2,491, hardtop at $2,556, and convertible at $2,796, a spread of $305 between the least and most expensive body style. This record's own unpublished leads document a fact-sheet figure of 6,644 for LeMans convertible production, flagged in this record's own reason field as evidently repeating the GTO convertible count in error, with the compiled table's own 11,779 figure used instead.1
Fourteen exterior colors are documented for the year without production counts, from Starlight Black to Nocturne Blue, none carrying a production figure in this record. This record's own specifications section documents the new 115-inch wheelbase, a 203.0-inch overall length, a 73.3-inch width, a 54.0-inch height, an even 58.0-inch front and rear track, and tires ranging from 6.50x14 on the six-cylinder to 7.00x14 on V8s and wagons, with a 7.50x14 whitewall optional.2
This record's own performance, identification, and conflicts sections are all empty for the year, a documented gap rather than an assumption that no such data exists. This record's own options section documents an extensive further list beyond the GTO option: a tachometer at $54, bucket seats at $134, a console shifter at $48, air conditioning at $319, a Cordova top at $75, a power tilt bucket seat at $67, power steering at $75, a push-button radio at $62, and two-speed wipers with washer at $17.2
Fact sheet · 1964 · United States
The numbers
1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans — The Tempest becomes a 115-inch intermediate with a 326 V8, and the LeMans carries the new GTO option.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Reported 1964 LeMans (non-GTO) production was 74,406.1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempest LeMans total (excluding GTO)1 Tempest LeMans · not stated by source | 74,406 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans sport coupe1 Tempest LeMans · sport coupe · not stated by source | 31,317 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans hardtop coupe1 Tempest LeMans · hardtop · not stated by source | 31,310 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans convertible1 Tempest LeMans · convertible · not stated by source | 11,779 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans with GTO option (see GTO page)1 Tempest LeMans GTO · 389 · not stated by source | 32,450 | built, model-year | Reported |
The three LeMans body rows partition 74,406. The GTO row is separately scoped. No 326 or 326 HO counts were found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| LeMans sport coupe1 | $2,491 | factory price as compiled, 1964 model year |
| LeMans hardtop1 | $2,556 | factory price as compiled, 1964 model year |
| LeMans convertible1 | $2,796 | factory price as compiled, 1964 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 326 V8 2-bbl2 326 cu in · Rochester two-barrel | 250 hp @ 4,600, 333 lb-ft @ 2,800 (SAE gross) | optional, not with GTO | Not yet sourced |
| 326 HO 4-bbl2 326 cu in · Carter AFB four-barrel | 280 hp @ 4,800, 355 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross) | optional, not with GTO | Not yet sourced |
| 215 I-6 (standard)2 215 cu in · 1-barrel, 8.6:1 | 140 hp @ 4,400, 209 lb-ft @ 2,200 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | standard, all transmissions | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual (I-6 2.94/1.68/1.00; V-8 2.58/1.48/1.00)2 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed manual, wide ratio (2.56/1.91/1.48/1.00)2 | optional (V-8); close-ratio 2.20/1.64/1.25/1.00 with Hurst linkage on GTO-optioned cars only | Not yet sourced |
| Two-speed automatic (1.76/1.00)2 | optional | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Tachometer2 | $54 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bucket seats2 | $134 | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans console shift2 | $48 | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioner2 | $319 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cordova top2 | $75 | Not yet sourced |
|
Custom steering wheel2 | $6 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deluxe steering wheel with ring2 | $4 | Not yet sourced |
|
GTO option (LeMans)2 | $295 | Not yet sourced |
|
Padded dash2 | $16 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power convertible top2 | $54 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power tilt bucket seat, left-hand2 | $67 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering2 | $75 | Not yet sourced |
|
Push-button radio2 | $62 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-speed wipers and washer2 | $17 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Starlight Black2 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Cameo Ivory2 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Silvermist Gray2 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Yorktown Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Skyline Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Pinehurst Green2 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Marimba Red2 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Sunfire Red2 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Aquamarine2 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Gulfstream Aqua2 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Alamo Beige2 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Saddle Bronze2 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Singapore Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Grenadier Red2 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Nocturne Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 115 in | all Tempests |
| Overall length2 | 203 in | 1964 Tempest line |
| Overall width2 | 73.3 in | 1964 Tempest line |
| Overall height2 | 54 in | 1964 Tempest line |
| Track, front / rear2 | 58.0 / 58.0 in | 1964 Tempest line |
| Tires2 | 6.50 x 14 (I-6); 7.00 x 14 (V-8 and wagons); 7.50 x 14 whitewall optional | 1964 Tempest line (GTO 7.50 x 14 red-line) |
Identification
Read a 1964 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1964
- Buick Riviera The 425 became standard, the dual-quad Super Wildcat 360 arrived as an option, and the Super Turbine 400 replaced the twin-turbine automatic.
- Buick Wildcat The best Wildcat year at 84,245, with a 425 in 340- or 360-hp form and an available four-speed.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The first Chevelle; the Malibu SS was a series, and its strongest released engine was the midyear 300 hp L74 327.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova First V8 (283) year in the source engine table. Enthusiast-compiled production: 191,691 cars; Super Sport 10,576.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport becomes its own series: 185,325 built.
- Chrysler 300 letter series Cheaper by about $1,000, with a single-four-barrel 360 hp 413 standard, leather made optional and the convertible restored, the 300K became the best-selling letter car: 3,022 hardtops and 625 convertibles.
- Dodge Dart 330/440, Polara and Max Wedge The Max Wedge's last year brought the Ramcharger 426-III, a 365 hp street 426 for Polara buyers, and in midyear a competition-only 426 Hemi in lightened 330/440 bodies; Roger Lindamood's Dodge won Top Stock at the Nationals.
- Ford Fairlane The year of the Thunderbolt: a midsize Fairlane with a 427 installed for NHRA Super Stock, which carried Gas Ronda to the national Stock title.
- Ford Falcon Sprint The restyled Falcon kept the Sprint hardtop and convertible with the 164 hp 260 V8 standard; the club counts 18,108 built, many with a bench seat.
- Ford Galaxie Ford sold its 427 in the restyled full-size range in two advertised versions, 410 hp with one four-barrel and 425 hp with two, and the Galaxie 500 XL hardtop was the bucket-seat flagship.
- Ford Thunderbird The redesigned fourth-generation car offered one drivetrain, a 300-hp 390 with Cruise-O-Matic, and output rose to 92,465.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Cyclone name first appeared on a 1964 Comet hardtop; the only production figure found is a single secondary total.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 Marauder now meant the fastback roof on any full-size Mercury series, two-door or four-door, with the 390 standard and the 427 optional.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds Oldsmobile's first 4-4-2 was a mid-year option package, B09 Police Apprehender Pursuit, with a 310 hp 330, a four-speed and dual exhausts; 2,999 are tabulated.
- Oldsmobile Starfire Production fell to 16,163 as the cheaper Jetstar I took the same body; Motor Trend timed a convertible at 9.7 s to 60.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Plymouth's glassback Valiant-based fastback launched in a short first season and sold 23,443 cars.
- Plymouth Savoy, Fury and Max Wedge Plymouth's last Max Wedge year offered the Super Stock 426-III beside a 365 hp street 426 Commando, while a competition-only 426 Hemi went into lightened Savoy/Belvedere drag cars and swept the Daytona 500.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 arrived as a $291 Catalina option and the 370 hp 421 HO replaced the Super Duty at the top.
- Pontiac GTO A $295 option on the Tempest LeMans that put Pontiac's 389 in the intermediate body; 32,450 were built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year: 63,810 built, with the 370 hp 421 HO at the top of the option list.
- Studebaker Avanti The last Studebaker Avanti, cut short when South Bend stopped building cars on 20 December 1963. It got rectangular headlamp bezels and a level stance, and 809 were built, including the nine production R3s.
- Studebaker Hawk The final Hawk, with a new deck lid and an optional vinyl 'Sports Roof', ended when South Bend closed on 20 December 1963. 1,767 were built, 1,484 of them domestic.
- Studebaker Lark and Super Lark Brooks Stevens restyled the Lark-type line and the Daytona became its top series. Of the V8 Daytonas, 111 got the R1 and 48 the supercharged R2, and one got the only production R4, before South Bend closed in December 1963.